Arrow-shaped Micrathena

Arrow-shaped Micrathena

Micrathena sagittata
ORB WEAVER FAMILY (Araneidae)

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This colorful spider grows to less than 1/2 inch in length. The female’s abdomen is roughly triangular on top, yellow with black pits, and with three red and black tipped pairs of spines (A,E). The sides of the abdomen are colorful as well, with purple added (C). A large, black spinneret is found below (B,C). The rest of the body is reddish brown. This spider usually sits in a gap in the center of its vertical web (A,D). It sometimes uses a stabilimentum, the vertical zigzag pattern in its web (D).

 

Considered uncommon at both nature centers during summer and fall, especially in the moist hollows.

 

These spiders only live one season in our area; only the eggs and sometimes the spiderlings overwinter.

 

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